The holiday season is filled with traditions. For many of us, the season truly starts when Charlie Brown picks the smallest Christmas tree on the lot or when the Grinch’s heart finally grows those missing three sizes. This year, like all others, will bring a host of holiday favorites old and new to TV screens across the country. Here is a list of holiday classics airing starting late November. Remember, all times are Eastern Standard.

Dan Rafter

The holiday season is filled with traditions. For many of us, the season truly starts when Charlie Brown picks the smallest Christmas tree on the lot or when the Grinch’s heart finally grows those missing three sizes. This year, like all others, will bring a host of holiday favorites old and new to TV screens across the country. Here is a list of holiday classics airing starting late November. Remember, all times are Eastern Standard.

1. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” The animated version of Dr. Seuss’ classic tale has long been a holiday staple. With Boris Karloff providing the narration and voice of the title character, the great song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and a heartwarming message, this animated short blows away the live-action version starring Jim Carrey. Airs on TBS on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. “Grinch” also airs on ABC on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

2. “Merry Madagascar” It didn’t take long for Dreamworks’ “Madagascar” critters to become favorites among children and adults. It’s little surprise, then, that the stars of the hit films have nabbed their own holiday special. This animated film airs on NBC on Nov. 24 at 8 p.m.

3. “Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special” Dreamworks’ “Kung Fu Panda” was a surprise hit among critics and moviegoers in 2008. This year, the characters – with voice talent that includes Jack Black and Angelina Jolie – return in a holiday special. You can catch it on NBC on Nov. 24 at 8:30 p.m.

4. 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade No Thanksgiving is complete without the big Macy’s parade. After all, Santa shows up at the end. This year, the whole family can watch the parade Nov. 25 on NBC starting at 9 a.m.

5. “Miracle on 34th Street” Few films have better captured the magic of Christmas, and how important it is for even adults to believe in Santa Claus, as did “Miracle.” This classic film, which first aired in 1947, will charm viewers again this year when NBC airs it Nov. 25 at 2 p.m.

6. “It’s a Wonderful Life” You may have seen Frank Capra’s classic dozens of times, but the movie will still tug at your heartstrings. How can you not cheer when Clarence gets his wings? Follow the wonderful Jimmy Stewart as he learns just how important he is when NBC airs this holiday classic on Nov. 30 at 9 p.m.

7. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” The Rankin/Bass holiday specials have earned their reputations as classics. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” might not be as beloved as the company’s “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” or “The Year Without a Santa Claus,” but it will still charm children and their nostalgia-minded parents. You can relive the stop-motion memories on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m., when ABC will air this holiday special.

8. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” At times melancholy, at times gleeful, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” might just be the perfect holiday special. No animated film better captures the joys and disappointments of the season. You can follow Charlie Brown’s efforts to make sense of the holidays when ABC airs the special at 8 p.m. on Dec. 7.

9. "A Muppet’s Christmas: Letters to Santa" Furry, and scaly, pals Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie the Bear and Gonzo are in such a rush during the holidays that they almost forget the reason for the season. Thankfully guest stars such as Whoopi Goldberg, Uma Thurman and Nathan Lane help get them in the true holiday spirit. This special airs Dec. 11 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

10. "The Year Without a Santa Claus" This time-honored holiday special might be the best loved of all the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials, mostly for the antics of the feuding brothers Heat Miser – he of the green Christmas preference – and Snow Miser – who prefers snow. This classic airs Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. on ABC Family.

11. "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" What’s Christmas without the adventures of everyone’s favorite reindeer? Another Rankin/Bass classic, Rudolph is assisted by such memorable characters as Herbie the Elf, who’d rather fix teeth than make toys, and Yukon Cornelius, who truly loves his silver and gold. And who could forget Bumble, the misunderstood abominable snowman? You can catch this classic on Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. on CBS.

12. "Mickey’s Christmas Carol" Everyone has a take on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas tale. In this version, Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends take on the roles of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. The Dickens story gets the Disney treatment Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. on ABC Family.

13. "Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey" Not all the Rankin/Bass specials are considered classics. Nestor just never caught on like Rudolph, Frosty and the Miser brothers. If you want to catch his story, though, tune in to ABC Family on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

14. "Saturday Night Live Christmas" Even adults deserve some holiday cheer this season. The not-ready-for-primetime players will provide it Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. on NBC.

15. “The Year Without a Santa Claus” If you missed the adventures of the Miser brothers the first time they aired, you can catch this holiday favorite again on Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. on ABC Family channel.

16. “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” You’ll have another chance to catch this Rankin-Bass holiday favorite, too. It airs right after “Year Without a Santa Claus” on Dec. 19 at 5 p.m. on ABC Family.

17. “The Polar Express” This movie made a splash when it opened in theaters in 2004. It was one of the first movies to use an ultra-realistic animation style in which the animated characters resembled real people. Today, the animation already looks dated. But kids still like this tale of a mysterious train headed to the North Pole. It airs Dec. 21 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC Family.

18. “It’s a Wonderful Life” It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve if someone wasn’t showing this classic with Jimmy Stewart and his helpful angel friend. This year, NBC is showing this heartwarming film at 8 p.m. on Dec. 24.

19. “The Santa Clause” It doesn’t quite rank as a holiday classic, but this movie is still fun. Tim Allen accidentally becomes the real Santa Clause in this family-friendly movie. It airs on Christmas at 2:30 p.m. on ABC Family.

20. “Ernest Saves Christmas” Now this movie is far, far from becoming a holiday classic. But once the presents are unwrapped, the turkey and stuffing put away and the Christmas songs shut off, it’s nice to enjoy a few cheap holiday laughs. Ernest provides them. His adventures air Dec. 26 at midnight on ABC Family.